Looking for Mary Gabriel

by Carole Lawrence

In the tradition of Carson McCullers, the author uses her own experience growing up with a mentally ill sister to pen this intensely moving novel. Set in the heart of the deep South, Looking for Mary Gabriel is the story of Bonita, a young girl who desperately wants her family to be normal, despite their strange behavior. Bonita's little sister, Mary, does not act like the other neighborhood kids, and Bonita vacillates between adoring her sister and hating her. Likewise, Bonita's mother is not exactly as warm and loving as one would hope a mother should be. And Bonita's father's motives are suspect to say the least. Almost inevitably, a tragic act of violence shatters the family forever.

As this exquisitely written novel opens, Bonita is preparing to bury her father and is looking back on a life that was shaped by secrets, madness, and lies. This is a novel that will be passed along from friend to friend, for Looking for Mary Gabriel captures perfectly the lonely young girl whose ultimate triumph over her unlucky past enriches all read of her.

Genres: Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published June 10, 2002

About the author

Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the GR database with this name.

Reviews

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually really liked this book. The main character was likeable and it was interesting how the book went from the 1950's to 1995. It seemed like it would have been easiest just to have the sister hospitalized though-the main character's entire life revolves around chasing after her and she isn't even a very interesting character. Overall though, I thought it was very good book.

[Carol Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed. I cried. I loved the characters but hated others. It is a master author who is able to provoke these emotions from their readers. But I was hoping for a better ending. For one of the characters I loved.

[Diana Petty-stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book with a big punch. About a family in a nice community with lots of kids. A father who cannot accept the fact that his younger daughter has problems and burdens his other daughter to look after her. Lives are destroyed.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad very sad story

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

The sister, Mary. Ugh! She's such an idiot. It was very depressing and stressful. God, she annoys me. ><

[Laarin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure how I feel about this book. Deals with the stigma of mental illness in the 1950's and how the effects have passed down through the years.

[Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good things happen when one least expects it, at least as often as bad things. This comes down on the butter side, but still hopeful.